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Ipswich Town 0 v 2 Brighton and Hove Albion
FA Premier League
Thursday, 16th January 2025 Kick-off 19:30
Ipswich Town 0-2 Brighton & Hove Albion - Match Report
Thursday, 16th Jan 2025 21:37

Second-half goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter saw Brighton & Hove Albion to a 2-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. Town had grown into the first half and forced visitors keeper Bart Verbruggen into a number of saves, but in the second period, after Joao Pedro had been very lucky not to see red for charging into Town keeper Christian Walton, Mitoma netted on 59 and Rutter with nine minutes remaining with the Blues never looking like getting back in it once they were behind.

Boss Kieran McKenna made three changes from the team which drew 2-2 at Fulham 11 days ago with Omari Hutchinson a surprise starter and with Kalvin Phillips and Wes Burns also coming into the team, and captain Sam Morsy on the Blues bench for only the second time in a league match, the first at Oxford in March 2022.

Walton continued in goal against his old club with Burns wide on the right and Leif Davis on the left with McKenna sticking with the back three of Dara O’Shea, who skippered, Luke Woolfenden and Jacob Greaves, despite the signing of Ben Godfrey, who was among the subs.

Phillips, who is ineligible for Sunday’s game against his parent club Manchester City, partnered Jens Cajuste in the double pivot with Hutchinson, who had been out with a groin problem and was expected to be a sub at best, and Nathan Broadhead behind number nine Liam Delap.

In addition to Morsy and Godfrey, striker George Hirst was back on the bench in the league for the first time since November.

Brighton, who had former Town central defender Adam Webster captaining, made four changes from the team which won 4-0 in the FA Cup at Norwich at the weekend with Joao Pedro OK to start after an ankle injury, replacing Rutter, who was among the subs.

Verbruggen returned in goal for Jason Steele, while Matt O'Riley and Simon Adingra replaced Julio Enciso and Yankubah Minteh, with all three players dropping out on the bench, alongside club captain Lewis Dunk, ex-England international Danny Welbeck and Solly March.

The visitors saw most of the ball in the early stages but without causing any danger until the sixth minute when Joel Veltman looped a deep cross for Mitoma at the back post but O’Shea in front of him flicked a header past the Japanese international.

The game continued to be played uniformly in the Town half until the 12th minute when Phillips and Hutchinson exchanged passes on halfway before the ex-Chelsea man broke into Brighton territory and was dumped on the floor by Webster, who was fortunate not to be booked.

The free-kick came to nothing and moments later a Walton pass out from the back landed at a Brighton player’s feet, but Mitoma’s low shot to his left was easily gathered by the one-time Seagull in the Town goal.

Albion continued to dominate possession but with Hutchinson making another break into their half before being dispossessed by Pervis Estupinan.

On 22, there was a brief moment of panic after Walton’s clearance found Veltman, but Woolfenden headed his ball into the box behind.

Despite their possession, Brighton had failed to threaten and in the 23rd minute it was the Blues who would force the first serious save.

Broadhead brought the ball forward from not far over halfway, cutting his way past defenders before hitting a shot from the edge of the area, which Verbruggen did well to palm wide to his left.

Town made nothing of the corner but they were gaining belief, Hutchinson making another strong run forward from the right two minutes later but the England U21 international held onto it for too long and was tackled.


In the 28th minute, the Blues confidently played their way out from the back, Cajuste passing forward to Broadhead, who moved it on to Delap on the left, the striker cutting in and hitting a shot which Verbruggen again saved down to his left, the Dutch international holding on with Burns ready to pounce.

On 38, with Town now having an equal if not greater share of the ball, Hutchinson played in Burns in space on the right, the Welshman having been free in similar situations earlier but without having been spotted. Burns took the ball on, then cut back to the edge of the area where Hutchinson’s shot was blocked.

Two minutes later, Jan Paul van Hecke looped a cross in from the right and Estupinan looked to have headed wide ahead of O’Shea but referee Tony Harrington gave a corner. From the flag-kick, the ball flew just over Pedro’s head and out of play, a fortunate escape for the Blues.

Moments later, the Brazilian international went to ground and stayed there after minimal contact with Woolfenden, who had beaten him to the ball. Play continued and the Blues kept the ball in the Brighton half as they probed for an opening, before Hutchinson eventually hit a well-struck effort which Verbruggen saved down to his right. Pedro proved to be fine to continue.

After one minute of additional time, the half-time whistle was met by applause from the home fans, pleased with their side’s display, the Blues having grown into the half.

Brighton saw all the ball in the first 20 minutes or so but without ever forcing Walton into a taxing save with the backline maintaining the solidity seen in recent matches.

Broadhead struck the game’s first significant effort and the Blues gained confidence and control the longer the half progressed, Delap and Hutchinson also hitting efforts which required Verbruggen to make saves, albeit not necessarily the toughest stops the Dutchman will make.

Hutchinson, Delap, Broadhead and Burns had all caused the visitors problems, particularly on the counter-attack.

The early period of the second half was surprisingly open with Broadhead having the ball taken off his feet just as he was getting inti a dangerous area on the edge of the box.

Five minutes after the restart, Delap was yellow-carded for an off the ball shove on Van Hecke, the pair, who had also clashed earlier, exchanging views after the card had been shown.

Within a minute, Estupinan got into a decent position on the left and crossed to Adingra, whose shot on the turn was blocked.

Moments later, Pedro went down very easily as he went past O’Shea on the left of the box, referee Harrington waving away the protests.

Pedro already had the Portman Road faithful on his back for the dive and taking to the turf in the first half, but in the 53rd minute they were calling for his dismissal, and with good reason.

Greaves played a back pass to Walton and the Brazilian deliberately jumped into the keeper well after the ball had gone, catching him in the face with his shoulder. The Town players surrounded referee Harrington, who eventually showed only a yellow card, much to the anger of the home support. VAR appeared to uphold the decision and Pedro stayed on, while Walton was deemed OK to continue after treatment.

Four minutes later, the Blues weren’t far away from going in front, Burns hitting a first-time shot across the face and wide after a long throw had fallen to him in the box.

However, it was the visitors who would take the lead in the 59th minute. Greaves was only able to help a ball into the path of Yasin Ayari on the right of the box and the Swedish international cut back to O’Riley, who moved it on to Mitoma, whose low shot beat O’Shea and went under Walton, who may have been unsighted and perhaps still affected by Pedro’s challenge.

The goal was harsh on the Blues, who had been the better side for the period either side of the break, although with Brighton starting to look more of a threat.

Going in front gave the Seagulls a significant boost of confidence and on 62 Woolfenden was booked for a foul on Pedro as the forward broke midway inside the Town half.

Moments later, Albion made a triple change, Dunk, Rutter and Minteh replacing Webster, O’Riley and Adingra.

In the 67th minute, Pedro was found in the Town area and hit a shot on the turn which Walton brilliantly tipped wide with the ball otherwise destined for the top corner.

The Blues were struggling to get out of their final third for the first time since the early stages and on 69 Rutter hit an effort from a tight angle into the side-netting off a defender.

Town made their first changes a minute later, Burns and Cajuste making way for Jack Taylor and Morsy.

Eight minutes later, with the Blues having made little further headway and Brighton in control, Pedro was booed off by the Town support as he was replaced by Welbeck.

The game was effectively settled in the 81st minute when a free-kick from just outside the area on the left was sent low into the area, Burns appeared to have a chance to clear as it ran loose but Rutter was able to stroke into the corner of the net. VAR took a look as Dunk may have been in front of Walton in an offside position but eventually gave the goal.

Town swapped Phillips and Delap for Jack Clarke and Hirst for the final few minutes but with the match already looking beyond McKenna’s men.

As the game moved into six additional minutes, Veltman was booked for a foul on Clarke, to sarcastic cheers from the Town support, frustrated by the referee’s decision-making and reluctance to show cards to Brighton players throughout.

The Blues were unable to launch a late comeback and referee Harrington’s whistle ended a disappointing night for home supporters.

Town had grown into the second half and may feel they should have made more of their opportunities in the opening period, although none were clear-cut chances.

Pedro’s challenge on Walton will be the game’s main talking point with the ball well gone and it appearing a deliberate jump shoulder first into the keeper’s face.

But once the visitors had gone in front, the Blues never looked like getting back into it with Albion, who previously hadn’t won in eight in the league, regaining their confidence and controlling the game with Town not creating an opportunity.

The Blues drop back into the bottom three, level on goal difference with Wolves but with the Old Gold having scored more goals, with Manchester City at Portman Road on Sunday.

Town: Walton, O’Shea (c), Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis, Phillips (J Clarke 84), Cajuste (Morsy 70), Burns (Taylor 70), Hutchinson, Broadhead, Delap (Hirst 84). Unused: Muric, Johnson, Godfrey, Townsend, Luongo. 

Brighton: Verbruggen, Webster (c) (Dunk 63), Pedro (Welbeck 78), Adingra (Minteh 63), Baleba, Mitoma, Ayari (Moder 94), Van Hecke, Estupinan, O’Riley (Rutter 63), Veltman. Unused: Steele, Lamptey, March, Enciso. Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland). VAR: Michael Salisbury. Att: 29,403 (Brighton: 2,977).


Photo: Matchday Images



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MVBlue added 21:39 - Jan 16
Was like the Palace game just with 3 half decent shots on their goal. Sigh this is tough but we march on.
12

Stato added 21:40 - Jan 16
What a stupid free kick for Morsy to give away and then lose his man who scores the goal. Hutchinson turning into a show pony
7

itfcskayman added 21:42 - Jan 16
Obviously very poor in a game which could’ve moved us away from the drop. Let’s get Portman Road rocking on Sunday
7

TimmyH added 21:43 - Jan 16
Strange sort of match really...all Brighton first 20 minutes with out creating and then we got a foothold and had tested their keeper. 2nd half really underwhelming, didn't create nowt and for some reason started to try to play out from the back again (thought we'd stopped that), lost count how many times we gave the ball away midway in our half. 2 soft goals and still seems to me we're weaker on our left side, can anybody tell me why Burgess is not starting when he was our most consistent defender for a number of matches?

O'Shea MOTM for me, attacking threat from Hutchinson and Delap completely nullified in that 2nd half - too isolated. A tad disappointing though Brighton are getting back to full strength.
14

Lightningboy added 21:44 - Jan 16
Not quite sure what was said at half time but that 2nd half was dreadful.

Feels like 1 step forward and 4 steps back....tbh there's a bit too much going back for my liking...and sideways...why are these players absolutely terrified of getting the ball forwards at times,especially when we're losing?

Just try something different..Hirst up top alongside Delap for the last 20 minutes for instance..we've quite literally got nothing to lose in this situation...i'd rather go down giving it a go than watching that performance.

22

chepstowblue added 21:45 - Jan 16
Unpleasant viewing. Very much back to the inferiority complex tonight and outclassed by a good outfit. Back in the day when getting a football lesson, teams would go long and try to win the second ball. Instead of that, all of our second half possession was watching the back four taking risks on the edge of our own box. It's a peculiar sport nowadays. We never recovered after Walton's uncharacteristically howler.......and there really is nothing else to add......because other for their long overdue second, nothing happened !!
9

Lightningboy added 21:46 - Jan 16
TimmyH - agree with the Burgess comment.
12

chepstowblue added 21:47 - Jan 16
*uncharacteristic*
-2

ArnieM added 21:48 - Jan 16
We're bloody naive aren't we. When are we going do as the Romans do and get free kicks when there's barely a touch made let a foul. And as for deciding to pi ss about with across our back line again ... goal !!! FFS!!
9

BobbyPetta11 added 21:50 - Jan 16
Outclassed in every area by a good premier league side. Squad depth showed with our subs v theirs.

Nevermind let’s keep chipping away and see where we end up.
11

Broadbent23 added 21:50 - Jan 16
Via Town TV this game was a non starter for us. Brighton desperate for a win. Our team was a bit disjointed. LD didn't have the service and nothing was clicking for us. Brighton were trying to stop the flow with fake fouls. Just too messy tonite, we go again but not a lot of time before Man City. Maybe JP will give us a lift. Over to KMc to create the magic. COYB.
2

blueboy1981 added 21:51 - Jan 16
Sorry but - Premiership Men v Premiership Boys.
Results cannot be talked up, they have to be achieved, and Games Won.
5

Saxonblue74 added 21:53 - Jan 16
Too much "football" in and around our own penalty area tonight. We moved away from that against Chelsea and Fulham and looked good for it. Not your usual tactical masterclass tonight boss.
10

ArnieM added 21:53 - Jan 16
Back line of

Godfrey....OShea...Burgess.. Greaves.. Davis.

From now on please
3

gkroon89 added 21:57 - Jan 16
Back down to earth with a bump.

Very poor second half of nothing.

That drawn out transfer was a little bit costly tonight. Could have done with him as a sub?

How are so many of our attackers injured though?
1

ITFCSG added 22:00 - Jan 16
Another poor performance a la Everton and Palace (H). It seems we blow hot and cold, sometimes we turn up for games and at times like today, the entire team is just happy passing the ball back and forth in our half aimlessly and inviting the opposition to flood forward and attack. We are still far off from being a team that can stay up, a couple more signings may be needed to freshen up the squad
9

bignics added 22:00 - Jan 16
Shocking, naieve, boring, negative lacklustre rubbish tonight only O’Shea earns his wages. Omari should have been taken off he was awful Burns had more pace and threat than him….. never thought I would say that. McKenna was outthought by his opposite number tonight.
17

poet added 22:01 - Jan 16
Very disappointed. Not sure how we didn’t cash in on our dominance in the first half. Despite their possession, Walton had literally nothing to do in the first half, as for their keeper, he hit a purple patch and had to pull off 3 desperate saves to keep them in the match. I feel we should have pressed them more in that half, they were there for the taking. Sadly, in the second half, we looked like a different team. Another half like the first, and surely we would have despatched average Brighton, who really should have gone back to the seaside with nothing.
3

blueboy1981 added 22:02 - Jan 16
Surefire Relegation Fodder on that Performance - in fact nowhere near Premiership Standard required to survive.
Has to be said, there was so much wrong with that performance tonight, and deserved criticism !
Mark me down Dissboyitfc, etc; as you will - but you won’t change Truth !!
4

Cadiar added 22:02 - Jan 16
Poor game overall. We had a good spell after about 15mins. Hardly touched the ball in the first 15 I thought mainly due to Walton banging it upfield straight into Brighton's hands, thought his distribution poor throughout & put us in jeopardy a few times. Should have stopped the first goal but in may have got a small deflection. Wonder what the reaction would have been if Muric had let that in??? He was concussed? If so he shouldn't have been on the pitch. Brighton are a good team but some of their antics left a sour taste & should Pedro have been on the pitch, can't claim he was going for the ball in reality, somewhat cynical.
0

EssexTractor added 22:07 - Jan 16
It is the Premier League, Brighton well established there and without really breaking sweat they claimed the points deservedly- although a couple of their team enjoyed writhing on the ground for no good reason.!
A real downbeat evening after last nights results in our favour and in view of the prospect of the next two matches a result tonight for everyone players and supporters would have been immense.
3

Bramidan added 22:23 - Jan 16
Yes we were disappointing in the second half but I think we are all feeling down beat because we were given a lift from last nights results.
4

FarnboroBlue added 22:23 - Jan 16
Textbook away performance by proper prem squad, no shame in losing to them. Omari didn't look fit to me from first min, just didn't look quite right to me, shows the difference in squad levels having to 'risk' him. They also played RD well, got him distracted into machismo mode
2

FarnboroBlue added 22:23 - Jan 16
Textbook away performance by proper prem squad, no shame in losing to them. Omari didn't look fit to me from first min, just didn't look quite right to me, shows the difference in squad levels having to 'risk' him. They also played RD well, got him distracted into machismo mode
0

itfc2024 added 22:24 - Jan 16
wolfinden was shaky need to be dropped Hutchinson tries to many tricks and has his head down instead of looking up for team mates I'd bring Godfrey and burgess in on sunday
6


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